Local state parks likely to remain open; cuts to camping, hours may mean less tourism dollars

Most North Coast state parks have plans to remain open in some capacity, saved by cooperative efforts from nonprofits, local governments and private companies.

State Sen. Noreen Evans is promoting a bill that would direct $68 million over the next five years to keep state parks open and operating. It is scheduled to go to state senate and assembly floor votes today. If approved by both houses, it will go to the governor.

Last May, the governor announced the closure of nearly 70 parks across California, including Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park, Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, Fort Humboldt State Historical Park, Benbow Lake State Recreation Area and Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area on the North Coast.

The number of parks still facing closure statewide is down to approximately 20, due to partnerships like the one that kept Grizzly Creek open.

Evans' Communications Director Teala Schaff said the Sustainable Parks Bill is the only bill that could save parks slated to close next week.

The bill would require the California Department of Parks and Recreation to develop a revenue generation program and would appropriate to the department bond funds made available by the Safe Drinking Water Act and other sources.

Schaff said that enforcing visitation fees for park visitors would alleviate budget problems.

"It's just a simple math problem with the folks that aren't paying," Schaff said.

The bill will benefit local businesses, she said.

"It's more of a long-term funding system for operating parks," Schaff said. "Parks are the economic drivers, largely, on the North Coast."

Humboldt County supervisors voted last month to take over the operation of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park under a cost-neutral plan in partnership with the state Department of Parks and Recreation and the Save the Redwoods League, but what the future holds for the Benbow Lake State Recreation Area, Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area and Fort Humboldt State Historic Park is less clear.

The National Park Service took over the operation of Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park, a volunteer group is expected to begin operating the Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area in mid-July and Fort Humboldt State Historic Park is expected to remain open on weekdays -- mainly because it houses the North Coast Redwoods District headquarters.

Humboldt County Visitors Bureau Executive Director Tony Smithers said that closure of Benbow Lake's campground is a concern, because it's particularly important to Southern Humboldt's economy. It's day-use area will remain open.

California State Parks is looking for a concession to operate the campground, but won't likely have that in place until next year, according to District Superintendent Dana Jones.

Smithers described the parks as economic engines, especially in Humboldt County, which draw people to outdoors opportunities.

"Since we sell the redwoods, and the parks have our redwoods, they are very important," Smithers said. "The real issue for us is to convince the public that the parks are open."

Jones said no outside group has come forward with interest in operating Fort Humboldt. It will be closed on weekends and holidays, but will be accessible by foot traffic on those days.

While it appears the North Coast's state parks will remain open in some capacity, others around the state are expected to close next week.

Jones said California State Parks will continue to do everything it can to preserve the legacy of its parks and keep them open to the public.

"I don't think any parks employee started this job thinking we were going to have to close parks," Jones said.

At a glance: Status of North Coast parks that faced closure

Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park

Status: Open.

Humboldt County Supervisors voted last month to take over management of Grizzly Creek Redwoods State Park. Operations will be funded by a donation from Save the Redwoods League and fees. The park sits on the Van Duzen River about 17 miles east of U.S. Highway 101 on State Route 36. The redwoods in the Grizzly Creek area are what inspired Owen R. Cheatham, founder of Georgia-Pacific Corporation, to preserve this site.

Fort Humboldt State Historic Park

Status: The park will be open weekdays, but not weekends or holidays. Visitors can still walk into the park on off days.

Fort Humboldt, overlooking Humboldt Bay in Eureka, was built as a military post in 1853 to assist in conflict resolution between Native Americans and gold-seekers and settlers who came to the area.

President Ulysses S. Grant took up a short residency at the fort after being decorated for bravery in the Mexican-American war. Grant said the fort was too isolated and resigned his commission after six months. Fort Humboldt was formally abandoned in 1870 and today only the hospital building remains. It is now an historical museum dedicated to telling the story of the fort and local Native American tribes.

The park includes a logging museum and displays of historic 19th and 20th century equipment, including a Dolbeer Steam Donkey.

Fort Humboldt is locate on Fort Avenue off of Highland Avenue in Eureka.

Standish-Hickey State Recreation Area

Status: The park is closed to vehicles and camping, though a volunteer group is expected to begin operating the campground mid-July. Hike and bike campsites are available and the Taber Trailhead will remain open.

Standish-Hickey began as a campground acquired by the Save-the-Redwoods League in 1922. In the late 1950s, the Standish family donated 500 acres. The park was named to honor Edward Ritter Hickey, the son of a local lumberman who died of influenza while caring for the victims of the 1918 epidemic.

The Eel River runs through the park for nearly two miles, and virgin redwood groves can be found in the area. Standish-Hickey is located on U.S. Highway 101 one and a half miles south of Leggett.

Benbow Lake State Recreation Area

Status: Day-use area will remain open. The park is currently looking for a concession to operate the campground, which is likely to begin next year.

A concrete dam was built on the Eel River in 1928 to supply power to the surrounding valley, which also resulted in the creation of Benbow Lake. The Benbow family made efforts to preserve land around the lake and Benbow Inn, and in 1958 the state bought the property from the family. The park is located two miles south of Garberville on U.S. Highway 101.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Status: Open. The National Park Service will operate the park this season.

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park was established in 1927 and is made up of approximately 50 percent old growth redwood and eight miles of wild coastline. The park is located seven miles south of Crescent City off U.S. Highway 101 onto the campground road.